REVEALED: Queen wanted to intervene directly when she heard news of Manchester bombing
THE Queen viewed the Manchester terror attack as such an affront to British values that she vowed to intervene directly as soon as she heard the news.
The Queen wears royal blue on Manchester hospital visit
The 91-year-old monarch personally worded the statement condemning the “barbarity” of the attack, one of the strongest ever put out by Buckingham Palace, before visiting injured children at the earliest opportunity.
She also sanctioned a minute’s silence at a Buckingham Palace garden party on Tuesday, followed by the national anthem.
It is understood the Queen had wanted to meet those caught up in Monday night’s atrocity on Wednesday but staff delayed the visit for a day to limit disruption at the hospital.
The Queen visited injured children at the earliest opportunity
People look towards the Queen in times of crisis because she is such a calm and constant presence
She also requested a detailed briefing on the concert before meeting youngsters at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in order to have an understanding of Ariana Grande’s teenage fan base.
As news of the tragedy swept the royal household, it was quickly decided that the Queen would be the first member of the Royal Family to pay tribute.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said: “People look towards the Queen in times of crisis because she is such a calm and constant presence.”
The Queen sanctioned a minute's silence at a Buckingham Palace garden party
Her strongly worded statement read: “The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert.”
She added: “I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity.”
It was decided that the Queen would be the first member of the Royal Family to pay tribute
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have praised the city’s “strength” and “decency”.
It is thought they will visit as soon as the police and local authorities deem it appropriate.